Seeing Lillie's purification magic deflected, Sylvia gritted her teeth.

One hope was extinguished. However, even so... Sylvia still had possibilities remaining.

(There's only one thing I need to do right now. To neutralize Anastasia so Christophe-san can use his recovery magic... Just you wait, Anastasia.)

Sylvia confronts Anastasia head-on.

Anger wells up against the demon that has possessed his friend's body and is making a mockery of their beautiful swordsmanship.

A swordsmanship filled only with destruction and mockery, completely unlike Anastasia's original, pure swordsmanship that respected her opponents.

During several exchanges, Anastasia had sustained a few injuries to her body, but so had Sylvia.

(...So you're not trying to take me over. Just as the information suggested beforehand, it seems you can't take me over. If you had possessed me, dealing with you would have been much easier.)

Before departure, to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, all party members had special bracelets attached to their wrists.

It is a magical tool primarily used by the Knights to restrain dangerous criminals. It has the function of immediately incapacitating the target by rendering them unconscious if it detects an abnormal magical pattern indicating the wearer is about to harm others, or if ordered to do so from an external source.

This time, the authority to investigate this bracelet belongs to Rufrey and Lillie. They are positioned in the back row, where they are less likely to be caught up in combat.

That's in case of an emergency. Specifically, with Rufrey, everyone's movements can be restricted. That's because they are in charge of protecting Christophe, and they thought they would be the least likely to be involved in combat.

Besides, in the unlikely event that even that is manipulated, Fana holds the highest authority and can eliminate everyone on the spot.

So, if the cursed sword had possessed Sylvia, this bracelet might have activated and minimized the damage. However, the enemy didn't choose that method.

The parasitic monsters up until now were the same. Basically, parasitic monsters can only take over a host's body once. When the host dies, the monster dies as well.

Of course, there was a possibility of exceptions, so all the members participating this time wore them.

(It seems I have no choice but to forcibly take your consciousness… Even if it means getting a little hurt... please don't be angry.)

Sylvia let out a soft breath and steeled herself.

The movement shifts from prioritizing observation of Lillie's magic hitting to a change. Sylvia's sword grazes Anastasia's body, chipping away at it.

But Anastasia also accelerated, keeping pace with Sylvia's movements. When Sylvia's sword, enveloped in lightning, struck sharply, Anastasia deflected it with her demon sword and launched a counterattack with a swift slash.

Swords and demon swords clashed repeatedly, sparks flying, and the sharp sound of metal echoed throughout the hall.

A series of attacks aimed at each other's weak points. Confusion mixed with Anastasia's expression, and Sylvia didn't miss it, swinging powerfully.

"...Not comrades...!? According to this woman's memories, you two honed your skills together―"

"That's why I'm here to stop it."

Sylvia kicked off the ground and got behind Anastasia.

Anastasia barely managed to block the lightning-infused slash with her reflexes and the power of her magic sword.

Sylvia's attacks don't stop.

Dodging Anastasia's blade with minimal movement, she immediately transitions into a counterattack.

Occasionally, the magic of lightning that flashes with the sword's glint grazes Anastasia's body, but she doesn't show a single expression of pain. Instead, she amplifies the black aura rising from her wounds, returning an even more ferocious blow to Sylvia.

Even so, Sylvia is faster.

"...Guh...!"

As Anastasia frowned, Sylvia accelerated even further.

Anastasia's movements slow down in the face of the overwhelming speed barrier.

(If it weren't for this situation... I would have enjoyed sparring with you more.)

Even while thinking such things deep down, she relentlessly cornered Anastasia without any mercy.

Even with the power of the demon sword enhancing her, Anastasia's high combat ability is still not enough to overcome that wall.

Sylvia didn't let up her pursuit, channeling her most powerful lightning magic into her sword and unleashing it. A blinding flash and deafening roar shook the hall, sending Anastasia's body flying against the wall, where it crumpled in tatters.

However, whether it was the power of the monster or not, Anastasia immediately pushed herself up, placing her hand on the wall. Not missing that movement, Sylvia closed the distance in an instant and lightly, but accurately, slashed Anastasia's leg.

Fresh blood danced in the air, and Anastasia's body lost its balance, collapsing back onto the floor. She struggled to stand up again, but her injured leg seemed unable to bear any weight.

Meanwhile, the members of the 'Wings of Flash' and 'Rosenritter', who had been engaged in battle with the horde of monsters around them, had also slain the last monster and were converging towards Sylvia. The situation had completely surrounded and cornered Anastasia.

"It's over, monster."

Sylvia coldly declares.

Chapter 37